Preston man jailed for rape and sexual assault of young girl

A paedophile who preyed on and abused a young girl from the age of 11 has been jailed.

Mark Seed, 40, admitted the rape, sexual assault and sexual touching of a girl between the ages of 11 and 13.

His victim plucked up the courage to tell someone what had been happening to her between April 2022 and January 2023.

Seed was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday 6 June to 11 and a half years in prison.

He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Det Insp Ellie Heaney, of South Child Protection Team, said: “First and foremost I must commend the bravery of this young girl for having the courage to come forward and talk about what happened to her.

“Seed subjected his young victim to horrendous abuse to satisfy his own perverted desires and I welcome the sentence which reflects the gravity of his offending.

“I hope this significant conviction and sentence will give others who may be victims of similar offending the confidence to come forward and report it to us safe in the knowledge we will investigate thoroughly, professionally and with sensitivity.

“This is an excellent outcome for the young victim as a result of thorough, expeditious investigation by DC Naomi Mcgrath-Rollins, assisted by DC Nikki Houghton and DS Rachel Benn.”